I remember this, but that's literally for the activation or licenses. Which Microsoft implemented. In the settings for the Xbox app on Windows or the console itself, there is a toggle for making it the primary device for offline access. It sets for 30 days. After 30 days you connect again and the timer resets. Excluding games that explicitly run always online for because of forced multiplayer (Need for Speed, Division 2, etc).
https://support.xbox.com/en-US/help/hardware-network/connect-network/using-xbox-one-offline
This uses a miniscule amount of data and can be done on any internet type. It's literally a check in.